AXA appoints new chief executive officer of UK & Ireland

Global re/insurer  AXA has appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO) of UK and Ireland business, with Claudio Gienal moving to a key transformation role within the company. The new CEO will be responsible for implementing AXA UK & Ireland's 2024 to 2026 strategy.

Tara Foley (pictured) will take up the role of AXA UK & Ireland CEO on September 1. She succeeds Gienal who has been appointed chief transformation officer for AXA European Markets and Health.

Foley joined AXA UK & Ireland in November 2020 as CEO of AXA UK Retail Insurance, where she oversaw a number of key projects, including the launch of digital disrupter Moja and the delivery of a comprehensive transformation programme.

Prior to joining AXA, Foley was at Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) for 12 years, most recently as managing director of the Bank of Scotland. At LBG, she held a range of positions throughout the group both in banking and insurance with a particular focus on customer experience and innovation. Prior to LBG, Foley held roles at Deutsche Bank and Accenture.

Gienal, in his new position, will be responsible for delivering on a key strand of AXA’s strategic, operational and financial ambition by driving business and technological transformation. He will also oversee and drive the global Business Communities, bringing together experts from across AXA to share best practice and develop approaches and assets.

Mark Pain, chairman at AXA UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tara as our new CEO of AXA UK & Ireland. Tara is a dynamic and purpose-driven leader who has successfully transformed the AXA Retail business for customers and colleagues alike. With her exceptional leadership skills and understanding of the insurance landscape combined with her diverse customer-centric experience, we are confident that AXA UK & Ireland will continue to thrive and grow under her guidance.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Claudio for his excellent leadership of AXA UK & Ireland. Over the past five years he has overseen the company’s largest transformation programme, built a competitive business and delivered significantly improved performance. We wish him all the best for his new role in AXA European Markets and Health.”

Foley commented: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take up the role of AXA UK & Ireland CEO and lead this outstanding team of talented and dedicated people. Together, we will build upon our many successes to deliver on the next stage of our strategy, continue to grow the business and provide the best products and services for our customers and clients.”

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